Vacation ideas

London, the capital of England is a fabulous city to visit; there is something for everyone to see and do. More than five hundred museums and galleries of varying size and contents can be found in London. You will never be short of a show, event or attraction which fires your interest.

There are four airports with many hundreds of arrivals to and departures from London every day, making it easy to get to from virtually anywhere in the world. Once you have landed here there are several options of transportation to choose from. The best way to get around London is by using the extensive public transport system. There are hundreds of things to do in London and there are many fascinating places to visit. Below you will find some of the most popular and best places to see during your holiday in London.

Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous palaces and is the official home of Queen Elizabeth II. If you are visiting London in summer you can visit the State Rooms as they are open to the public then. This palace has a long and colourful history since the time of King George III who acquired it for his wife Queen Charlotte.

It was George IV who turned the house into a palace. It was Queen Victoria, in 1837, who became the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace. During ceremonial occasions, the Royal family still use the State Rooms to receive and entertain guests. The rooms are lavishly decorated and have some of the finest French and English furniture in the world. The works of painters such as Poussin, Vermeer, Rubens and Rembrandt adorn the walls. You can also tour the 29 acre gardens and they also have annual exhibitions. A London holiday would not be complete without paying it a visit.

The British Museum - The British Museum is world renowned for its collection of objects exploring the history and culture of man. This impressive museum is home to over seven million objects. It was originally founded in 1753 and has displays that range from prehistoric to modern times. The Rosetta Stone, the Portland Vase and the Parthenon Sculptures are a few of the most notable items on display there.

There is a world-renowned collection of Egyptian mummies as well as a tomb-like room which is dedicated to the life of Negamun, a wealthy Egyptian. Other dedicated areas within the museum house the Percival David Collection of Chinese Art, as well as areas for Medieval Europe, and Watches and Clocks, among other things. The central hub of the museum is the glass domed Great Court. Designed by Lord Norman Foster, it is the largest public covered square in Europe. This fascinating place could occupy you for days and you still may not see everything.

The London Eye - The modern icon that is the London Eye - also called the Millennium Wheel - is a must see when visiting London. A “flight” on the London Eye will give you a whole new perspective on this beautiful city. Standing at an impressive 135 metres tall, this awesome riverside wheel is a famous part of London’s modern skyline. Through the glass pods you get a 360-degree view of the city. You can see for twenty-five miles in all directions on a clear day.

It’s possible to see as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day, as well as getting a bird’s-eye view of all London’s other attractions such as the Houses of Parliament and Canary Wharf. It has a slow but steady pace and it takes around thirty minutes to complete one revolution. This hugely popular attraction is always busy, so expect long queues for buying tickets and to board. You can save time by booking online. Choose from a variety of packages depending on your needs. If your budget allows, beat the queues by buying a Fast Track ticket which lets you check in 15 minutes beforehand. You can also have a glass of champagne or the company of a London guide. A panoramic view of this historic city is made possible in this way.

There is just so much to do here that you may want to return often. You can easily get around this vast historic city by taxi cab if you have the budget!There are both licensed and unlicensed minicabs operating in London. Similar to New York London is well known for its cabs which are black rather than yellow and are called Hackney Cabs. You should stick to using these licensed taxis rather than the often less reliable “minicabs”.

Alternatively, if you don’t fancy using public transport or taxis, there are many car hire companies which operate from London Heathrow Airport and the same from London’s smaller airport; Gatwick. You can easily find both self-drive and chauffeur-driven vehicles for hire at the airports.

When hiring a car, be sure to read the rental agreement fully so that you know exactly what you will be covered for in the event of an accident, particularly any excess charges which you may be liable for. Other specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance will generally be taken care of by the hire car company so you do not need to worry about these things. Make yourself aware of the details of breakdown cover and who to call if it happens, be sure that you have 24-hour cover in place! Other insurance products may be offered to give you added peace of mind - for instance key or windscreen insurance - which may incur extra costs. Read carefully before signing anything! Sticking with a car hire company you know - such as Hertz, Budget or Avis - may often be your best bet.

Although hiring a car is a great way to get to your hotel or Bed and Breakfast, the public transport is excellent in the United Kingdom. London’s many major railway stations provide regular links to cities and towns all over Britain, including several trains every hour to Brighton, or “London-by-the-Sea” as it has often been called.

London is an amazing and beautiful city, no matter what time of year that you visit. With such a multitude of sights to see, things to do, places to visit or clubs to party in, you will always be able to find something exciting to do while visiting London. As the famous Samuel Johnson quotation goes:

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.

This short city review was brought to you by London’s’ Most Popular Online GAP Insurance and Car Warranty Supplier the Click4Group.